CMEV received a report regarding a clash
between a group of NDF supporters and a group of supporters of Western
Provincial Council Member, Duminda De Silva (UPFA) near the Umagaliya
ground, Kolonnawa at around 11.30 pm on 13th January 2010. It is also
reported that a tense situation has arisen in the area due to the clash.

The group of supporters of Duminda De Silva, who came in 4 cabs, had
intimidated a group of supporters of Presidential candidate Sarath
Fonseka who were decorating the stage for the meeting scheduled on 14
January. They had brandished a pistol and had attacked them.
Subsequently NDF supporters also had attacked the perpetrators by stones
according to reports received by CMEV.

According to CMEV special mobile team information, Peter Kelard and
Sampath, who sustained injuries, have been admitted to the Colombo
General Hospital. When CMEV’s special mobile team visited the place, OIC
of the Wellampitiya Police Station, HQI Liyanage and his team had
arrived to the scene and Army had been deployed in the area to ascertain
the security. It is learnt that no complaint has been made to the
police and the tense situation prevails at the time this report goes
out.

Read the full report in Sinhala and Tamil here.

At 12.20 pm today, a
bus containing UNP supporters was shot at on the Thalunna road in the
Hungama area in Thangalle. Ms. Kusumawathie Kuruppuarachchi who
suffered gunshot wounds to the stomach was initially admitted to the
Thangalla hospital. She was subsequently transferred to the Matara
hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead
on arrival at the hospital, as confirmed by ward 6 staff of the Matara
hospital. 2 other persons with injuries were admitted to the Thangalle
hospital.

Also, at 1.00am this morning an unknown group lobbed a grenade at
the house of SLMC supporter Mr. M.B.S. Hussein’s located in Ottamawadi,
Valachchenai. Mr. Hussein called the police at the time of the incident
and the police arrived at the scene shortly after.  No persons were
injured, however windows, doors, and furniture of the house were
damaged. The CMEV monitor was informed of this incident by Mr. L.T.M.
Furkhan Pradeshiya Sabha member Valachchenai.

Read the full CMEV report here.

3 January 2010, Colombo, Sri Lanka: CMEV notes with concern the escalation of violence in the Presidential
Election. CMEV has received reports of 4 Major Incidents of election
related violence on 3 January. Instances of the use of fire arms have
gone up to 16. CMEV highlights the most recent two incidents in this
press release, including the clash between UPFA and NDF Supporters in Kiribathgoda.

Download the press release as a PDF here.